What's the deal with Superfoods?

December 29, 2016

What is a superfood? And why are they so ‘super’? Superfoods are foods that contain significantly higher quantities of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other health-boosting, anti-aging, disease-fighting goodies. They are extremely nutritious and beneficial to your overall health, and some believe they are capable of preventing illness such as heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure.

Superfoods are jammed packed with antioxidants, sulforaphanes, and healthy anti-inflammatory fats. Most superfoods are low in calories, gluten free and hold worthy possibility to even healing people. Why? Because they contain very potent and unique compounds that protect our immune system, stop renegade cells from reproducing, and even kill harmful bacteria.

The best part, however, is how easy they are to integrate into your diet. Some of which you may already be eating.

Blueberries These nutritional superstars are filled with fiber, vitamin C, and cancer-fighting compounds. To boot, studies show they have been associated with improving memory.

Kale Kale is the most impressive green out there as it provides more antioxidants than many fruits and veggies combined! The levels of calcium, fiber, and iron are all off the charts, and they are easily brought into any meal. Eat them plain in a salad, steam them, or even roast them in the oven with spices to make chips! Yum!

Cacao Cacao is the source of original, organic chocolate. It comes from a small tropical tree that bears beans which are typically dried and used to make cocoa powder and chocolate. But cacao in its simplest and rawest form is when it is the most powerful. It is the most anti-oxidant rich food in the world, having 20X the antioxidant value of blueberries. This superfood can be consumed in powdered or nib form and can be easily thrown into a smoothie or a shake. You can even use the shells to make cacao tea. It’s both healthy and delicious!

Oatmeal This breakfast staple will never go out of style! High in fiber with a plethora of nutrients, it also has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Besides making it for breakfast, oatmeal can easily be eaten in homemade granola, oatmeal cookies, or flavored pies.

StrawberriesVitamin C steals the show with this superfood. Studies have shown that the high content of vitamins in Strawberries can help promote healthy eye function, boost immunity, and build and repair the body’s tissues. Only one cup of strawberries fulfills the average needed daily intake. Even better is how simple this source of Vitamin C can be added to your diet. It’s simple to add yet powerful to consume.

Salmon This heart-healthy fish is jam packed with omega3, protein, and Vitamin D. Add it to your diet to increase cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of depression. Suffering from joint pain? Eating salmon has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Some other superfoods you may have come across are Greek yogurt, broccoli, chia, green tea, and nuts. All of which are at their fullest potential in their raw, original state – that is, before any sugars or additives get involved. Superfoods surround us in our everyday lives and are extremely convenient to incorporate into basic meals. Though they rarely need much preparation, their benefits are long lasting. These simple foods truly are super.